6.2.a PCSR 04-28-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The following addresses specific questions required of the Land Use Amendment Applicaiton narrative: 1. Detailed description/scope of the project. The proposed project will include a new construction, 60-unit apartment building with 120 surface parking stalls built on an existing outlot of the Elk Ridge Shopping Center. The building will be three stories in height plus a pitched roof. The building’s access will be provided by existing connections from the Elk Ridge Shopping Center and will additionally include a landscaped trail connection to the existing trail on Irving Street. 2. What is being proposed? The project will include a new construction, 60-unit apartment building with 120 surface parking stalls. 3. What are the reasons/purposes for the proposed Land Use Change? The proposed project is located in a commercially-zoned area, part of the existing Elk Ridge Shopping Center. The proposed project will be residential in use, therefore requiring a land use change. 4. What has changed to warrant the Land Use Change? Market conditions no longer make a commercial use feasible at this location. The project location is one of the last developable outlots in the Elk Ridge Shopping Center and was initially conceived to be junior box retailer or pad retail development. After many years of active marketing by the property owner, Hempel Companies, no viable commercial projects emerged. Additionally, the location is highly conducive to residential use, which will further make the existing commercial uses viable by adding additional users. 5. How is the request consistent with the City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan? The proposed project will require an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. As described above, the project is located in a commercially zoned area, but the area has failed to garner any viable commercial proposals after many years of marketing and development proposals by its owner/broker, Hempel Properties. We believe multi-family housing is the highest and best use of the property. 6. How is it compatible with surrounding properties. The proposed project is compatible with surrounding properties by integrating into existing access through the site, by complimenting and building upon the existing design aesthetic of the site, by not requiring any shared parking from other uses by adequately parking on-site and by developing a landscaped trail connection to the existing trail along Irving Street. 7. What are the benefits to the City. The proposed project will benefit the city by putting vacant land into a productive, tax paying use; by enhancing the value of neighboring commercial uses by adding new site users; and by adding to much-needed affordable housing supply for the community for which there is a great shortage.